Looking to do something extra special this Christmas? How about a trip to a Viennese Christmas market, or a shopping excursion to New York? Or you could throw out the rule book completely and enjoy a riverboat cruise in Bangkok!With ideas too for Christmas breaks in Strasbourg and Montreal, read on to see where you could go this Christmas to give your festive season a special foreign flavour.

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Christmas shopping on New York's Fifth Avenue

Bite into the Big Apple this winter as you enjoy a classic Christmas time in the city that never sleeps! The magic begins at the Rockefeller Center, where you can admire the giant Christmas tree, the Christmas lights and the skating rink.Once you see the famous animated window displays of the Fifth Avenue department stores, a little shopping therapy will be hard to resist. Next, head for one of the city's Christmas markets before completing your stay in New York with a stroll through the snows of Central Park...

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Listening to Christmas carols in Vienna

How do you fancy spending Christmas time in a fairy-tale setting? Every winter, Vienna transforms its streets and squares into a series of enormous Christmas markets. You certainly won't miss the one held on the Rathausplatz—simply follow the aroma of the mulled wine...But what to bring back from your stay in Vienna? Perhaps some pastries or traditional crafts? While you make up your mind, the sound of Christmas carols echoes all around. At the Kursalon, meanwhile, arias by Mozart recall the Vienna of old...

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Sampling Strasbourg's traditional markets

Strasbourg's Christmas markets are an institution in themselves. As you stroll through the one held on the Place Broglie, you'll find a stunning variety of foods to try and gifts to buy.In the square next to Strasbourg's Gothic cathedral, follow the Christmas bunting to the bredele stand. These traditional Alsace cakes go perfectly with a glass of mulled wine. And as for the lovely music you hear, that'll be from a concert held in one of the city's countless churches: the perfect next stop on your Christmas break in Strasbourg!

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Enjoying an exotic Christmas in Bangkok

This Christmas, why not escape the chilly weather but still enjoy the celebrations and gifts? In Bangkok the shopping centres sparkle with a thousand lights, while at the Central World mall, temptation is all around...Next, take a cruise along the Chao Phraya River—a great way of enjoying the city sights. Tempted by the exotic tastes of Thailand, take a stroll to the Gourmet Market. Finally—in view of the 30°C temperatures of December in Thailand—you end your break in Bangkok with a riverside stroll...

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Celebrating Christmas in the snows of Montreal

Fancy spending Christmas like you've seen it in the movies? Then Montreal is the perfect place to visit. With a cup of hot chocolate in hand, wander the alleyways of Old Montreal, serenaded by the sound of Christmas carols.You can admire the brilliant light show of the Place Royale, while the Vieux-Port Christmas market is the ideal location for snapping up last-minute gifts—and for sampling Québécois delicacies. With a thousand things to see, you'll never want your Montreal Christmas to end...